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The ABC has quoted both Dr Carnley (Anglican Primate of Australia) and Archbishop Hickey (Catholic Archbishop of Perth) as saying there is no need for a Royal Commission into clergy sexual abuse*. They would say that, wouldn't they?

It is my belief that church structures are so different to those of society that any Royal Commission into child sexual abuse must have a parallel inquiry into clergy sexual abuse. There are currently approximately 12,500 clergy in Australia, spread over many denominations/religions, and self-report surveys have indicated around 10-12% have had sexual relations with a parishioner and 23% report sexually inappropriate behaviour.  If, as other statistics indicate, the number of victims per abuser averages around 50, then for any generation of clergy there are anywhere between 62,500 and 143,750 victims.

A Royal Commission is needed to determine answers to the following questions:

  1. In what ways do the specific structures of churches facilitate cover-up?
  2. Are self-created, self-monitored procedures for dealing with sexual misconduct complaints sufficient, or is there a need for an independent regulatory body?
  3. Why are clergy exempt from mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse?
  4. Why are clergy not subject to standards equivalent to other professionals with regard to the professional-client relationship?
  5. Does the blurring of boundaries between the professional and private lives of clergy increase the likelihood of abuse?
  6. Why is the incidence of sexual abuse statistically as high in (supposedly more moral) church circles as it is in the general population?
  7. Are "gag orders" (blanket confidentiality clauses), imposed by churches as part of monetary settlements, illegal and unenforceable where the effect is to cover up a crime, as was recently argued by law enforcement officials in America?
  8. What combination of current or possible church structures is most likely to prevent future sexual abuse?

* http://www.abc.net.au/news/2002/03/item20020317002010_1.htm

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